Laboratory Exercises (Coursework Sample)

Laboratory Exercises: Introduction to Research Methods
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Chapter 1An Introduction to Research Methods
Module 1
Exercise 2Provide an argument for the idea that basic research is as important as applied research.
Basic research refers to a systematic inquiry conducted by scientists who are simply interested in gaining knowledge for its own sake (Jackson, 2014). In other words it is carried out merely out of curiosity for new knowledge. An example of basic research is the process of identifying variances in capacity and duration in short-term memory and long-term memory (Jackson, 2014). Applied research, on the other hand, has practical significance and generates potential solutions to social and natural issues (Jackson, 2014). It is aimed at providing answers to existing problems so that practical solutions can be found. An example is a study of the relationship between watching violent TV and aggression in children (Jackson, 2014). So whereas basic research does not provide an immediately applicable concept, applied research does so.
Basic research is as important as applied research because the former often leads to the latter. What begins as basic research can develop at later stages into applied research (Jackson, 2014). Scientists regularly develop what was initially basic research into practically applicable knowledge. It would therefore be tragic if scientists stopped carrying out basic research because many applicable concepts would not be developed.
Exercise 4An infomercial asserts, "A study proves that Fat-B-Gone works, and it will work for you also." What is wrong with this statement?
Information gained through an infomercial is usually referred to as knowledge through tenacity (Jackson, 2014). This is information that is repeated regularly until people believe that it is true. When people are made to believe in something in this manner, they tend to stubbornly cling to that belief despite evidence to the contrary (Jackson, 2014).
The problem with this kind of belief is that there is no evidence to prove that the claim about Fat-B-Gone is true. There is probably no empirical and rational research that has been carried out to prove this claim (Jackson, 2014). It may turn out in the end that the product does not work as is alleged, or it does not work for everyone.
Module 2
Exercise 2In this study:
* What is the independent variable?
The independent variable is the type of study method. The reason is that this is the variable that is manipulated (Jackson, 2014). The manipulation is between studying alone and studying in a group.
* What is the dependent variable?
The dependent variable is performance in the examinations. This variable depends on which way the independent variable is manipulated between the two conditions (Jackson, 2014).
* Identify the control and experimental groups.
The control group is the students studying alone while the experimental group is the students studying groups.